Stabilized formulation of triamcinolone acetonide

ABSTRACT

A stabilized formulation of triamcinolone acetonide in a bioadhesive base material is provided. The present invention further includes a method of producing a stabilized non-aqueous TAA formulation and methods of measuring the stability of such TAA formulations.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to a storage stabletriamcinolone acetonide (TAA) formulation. In particular, the presentinvention relates to bioadhesive formulations containing TAA andlidocaine or salt thereof, which are stable under standard storageconditions. In particular, the present invention relates to a processfor the preparation of storage stable bioadhesive formulationscontaining TAA.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) or oral canker sores are the most commonoral lesions afflicting humans. Studies have shown such ulcers affect18% to 50% of the general population. As the name suggests, RAU lesionstend to recur in susceptible patients, often lasting for weeks. Theselesions can be characterized as necrotizing ulcerations of oral mucosaltissue which are located on soft, non-keratinized mucosa. The lesionsare painful, affect nutritional intake, and disrupt oral hygiene. Theylead commonly to secondary infections by opportunistic organisms andsometimes result in scarring.

The etiology of RAU has been linked to several causative factorsincluding allergies, trauma, stress, autoimmune dysfunction, nutritionaldeficiencies, microbial infection, hormonal changes, and systemicdisease. However, several studies have shown that whatever the specificetiology in a particular patient, the clinical manifestations of RAU aredue to an altered immune response. Immunosuppressive steroids such astriamcinolone acetonide are known to be effective in the treatment ofRAU. A problem with steroidal therapy for RAU however, is thatadministration in large doses or over extended periods can cause adrenalsuppression and atrophy. The dosage necessary for steroidal therapy tohave therapeutic effect for RAU can be lessened, thereby decreasing theopportunity and magnitude of harmful side effects, if the therapy isapplied topically rather than systemically. Furthermore, treatmentperiods necessary to achieve the desired therapeutic effect can beshortened if the form of the product encourages patient compliance inapplying the medication on a prescribed schedule.

Attempts at delivery of medication to the oral mucosa have includedbioadhesive compositions based primarily on organic cellulose, such asdisclosed in Reissue Patent No. RE 33,093 issued to Schiraldi et al.,and polycarbophils disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,697 issued toRobinson. The major disadvantages of such compositions is that they areaqueous systems which do not provide as rapid symptomatic relief as thecompositions of the present invention, and which are relatively easilyremoved from the oral mucosa by the flow of saliva.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,580 to Browning describes a bioadhesive compositioncomprising a freeze-dried polymer mixture formed of the copolymerpoly(methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride) and gelatin dispersed in anointment base such as mineral oil containing dispersed polyethylene. Thefreeze-dried combination of polymer and gelatin is reported to be asynergistic combination having enhanced muco-adhesive propertiescompared to a simple mixture.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,112,620 and 5,714,165 to Repka describe combining thetherapeutic effect of steroids to counter the dysfunctional immuneresponse associated with RAU, with a local anesthetic to provideimmediate symptomatic relief, in an organic base material which providesdelivery of the active medications to the lesions. The base material isa bioadhesive composition having wet adherent properties which is notreadily displaced from the oral mucosa even in the presence of saliva,and which allows the active medications to remain concentrated andlocalized over the RAU lesions for an extended treatment period. Aformulation prepared in accordance with the Repka patents, containing0.1% TAA and 2% lidocaine, was able to maintain at least 90% of theinitial TAA concentration for 3 months under accelerated storageconditions of 40° C. and 75% relative humidity; however, surprisingly,the formulation was unable to maintain at least 90% of its initialconcentration of TAA for more than 13 months under standard storageconditions of 25° C. and 60% relative humidity.

Ideally, a therapeutic composition has an extended shelf life. Due tothe realities of production, distribution, and retail sales, productpreferably has a shelf life of at least 12 months, preferably at least18 months, more preferably at least 24 months, and still more preferablyat least 36 months. Such a characteristic is particularly advantageousin the treatment of RAU because the ulcers reoccur in susceptiblepatients. A TAA formulation with a long shelf life would speed healingby allowing susceptible patients to keep the therapeutic formulation onhand so they may apply the formulation at the first appearance of theulcer(s).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration measures shelf life as the time(days/months) for which a product retains, within specified limits, thesame properties and characteristics that it possessed at the time of itsmanufacture. [Reference—Guideline for Industry—Stability Testing of NewDrug Substances and Products, ICH]. The “specified limits” forFormulation B of Example 1 are: TAA concentration of 90-110% w/w andlidocaine concentration of 95-105% w/w of label claim.

Methods of stabilizing aqueous and alcoholic solutions of TAA are known.TAA has been stabilized in aqueous solutions with an acidic pH. Guptareports that the optimum pH for TAA stability in aqueous solution wasmeasured to be about 3.4 (Gupta, V. D., “Stability of triamcinoloneacetonide solutions as determined by high-performance liquidchromatography,” J. Pharm. Sci., 72:1453-6 (1983)). Ungphaiboon et al.report that decomposition of TAA in aqueous solutions was minimal at pH3.4 and that above pH 5.5 the rate of TAA decomposition increasedrapidly (Ungphaiboon et al., “Formulation and efficacy of triamcinoloneacetonide mouthwash for treating oral lichen planus,” Am. J.Health-Syst. Pharm., 62:485-91 (2005)). Ungphaiboon et al. suggest thatbuffering agents and antioxidants may be added to a TAA formulation toincrease its stability. Xu et al. reported that solutions containinglidocaine hydrochloride, chlorhexidine gluconate, and TAA were stablewith respect to TAA degradation after storage at room temperature forone year. (Xu et al., “Simultaneous determination of lignocainehydrochloride, chlorhexidine gluconate, and triamcinolone acetonide insuspension by reversed-phase HPLC,” J. Liq. Chrom. & Re. Technol.,22(13):2071-91 (1999)).

The Repka patents suggest stabilizing a bioadhesive TAA formulation bythe addition of antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene andbutylated hydroxyanisole. However, it has been discovered that theseantioxidants were not effective in adequately prolonging the storagestability of the Repka based formulation. Accordingly, there is a needfor such compositions having enhanced storage stability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the several features of the present invention are bioadhesiveformulations with increased TAA stability and a process for producingsuch stable formulations.

Briefly, the present invention is directed to a storage stabletherapeutic composition having wet adherent properties comprising a basematerial, about 0.01 to about 0.3 wt. % triamcinolone acetonide, andabout 0.25 to about 6 wt. % lidocaine or a salt thereof. The basematerial comprises from about 3 to 15 wt. % of a water soluble salt of acopolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic acid or anhydride andfrom about 85 to 97 wt. % of a polyalkylene glycol. The compositioncomprises either: at least 90% of the triamcinolone acetonide based onthe amount of the triamcinolone acetonide within the composition at thetime of manufacture after 14 months storage at 25° C. and 60% relativehumidity; no more than about 10% of compounds having the formulae I, II,and III based upon the amount of the triamcinolone acetonide within thecomposition at the time of manufacture after 14 months storage at 25° C.and 60% relative humidity; at least 90% of the triamcinolone acetonidebased upon the amount of the triamcinolone acetonide within thecomposition at the time of manufacture after 6 months acceleratedstability storage at 40° C. and 75% relative humidity; or no more thanabout 10% of the compounds having the formulae I, II, and III based uponthe amount of said triamcinolone acetonide within the composition at thetime of manufacture after 6 months accelerated stability storage at 40°C. and 75% relative humidity. In an embodiment, a composition having wetadherent properties comprises a base material, about 0.1 wt. %triamcinolone acetonide, and about 2 wt. % lidocaine or a salt thereof,which comprises at least 0.09 wt. % triamcinolone acetonide and 1.8 wt.% lidocaine or a salt thereof after 14 months; or comprises no more thanabout 0.01 wt. % of compounds having the formulae I, II, and III after14 months.

Another aspect of the invention is directed to a composition for thetreatment of mouth sores comprising a polyalkylene glycol, a watersoluble salt of a copolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic acidor anhydride, lidocaine hydrochloride, triamcinolone acetonide, and apreservative.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of making atherapeutic composition. The process comprises providing a base materialand mixing lidocaine or a salt thereof and triamcinolone acetonide withthe base material in an inert atmosphere.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph depicting the stability of various TAA and lidocaineformulations as a percent recovery of TAA versus time as described ingreater detail in the examples. “macc” is months of accelerated storage.

FIG. 2 is a graph depicting the normalized stability of TAA andlidocaine formulations as a percent recovery of TAA versus time asdescribed in greater detail in the examples “macc” is months ofaccelerated storage.

FIG. 3 is an HPLC chromatogram depicting the results of Experiment A asdescribed in greater detail in the examples.

FIG. 4 is an HPLC chromatogram depicting the results of Experiment B asdescribed in greater detail in the examples.

FIG. 5 is a graph depicting the stability of various TAA and lidocaineformulations as the concentration of TAA versus time under theaccelerated storage conditions of 40° C. and 75% relative humidity (RH)as described in greater detail in Example 6.

FIG. 6 is a graph depicting the stability of various TAA and lidocaineformulations as percent TAA degradation versus time as described ingreater detail in Example 6.

FIG. 7 is a graph depicting the stability of various TAA and lidocaineformulations at room temperature storage over a twelve month period asthe concentration of TAA versus time as described in greater detail inExample 6.

FIG. 8 graphically depicts the total percent of TAA degradants underaccelerated storage conditions over a twelve month period as the percentof TAA degradants versus time as described in greater detail in Example6.

FIG. 9 is an HPLC chromatogram depicting the results of experiments asdescribed in greater detail in Example 6.

FIG. 10 is an HPLC chromatogram depicting the results of experiments asdescribed in greater detail in Example 6.

FIG. 11 is a graphical depiction of the crystal structure of Compound IIas described in greater detail in Example 3.

FIG. 12 is a graph depicting the accelerated stability of various TAAand lidocaine formulations as a percent recovery of TAA versus time asdescribed in greater detail in Example 7.

FIG. 13 is a graph depicting the stability of various TAA and lidocaineformulations as a percent recovery of TAA versus time as described ingreater detail in Example 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with the present invention, improved formulations withincreased stability of TAA have been discovered. The present inventionimproves the shelf life of TAA and lidocaine or lidocaine saltbioadhesive formulations. It has been discovered that the shelf life ofa TAA-containing formulation is significantly increased by selecting alidocaine salt, such as lidocaine hydrochloride, rather than lidocainefree base for incorporation in the formulation because TAA degradationis reduced. While not being bound by any particular theory, it isbelieved that lidocaine hydrochloride is a more effective stabilizingagent within the formulation than is lidocaine free base. The presentinvention also includes a method of preparing the improved formulationsin an inert atmosphere to minimize oxidative degradation of theformulations during storage. TAA-containing formulations includinglidocaine or a salt thereof exhibit increased storage stability whenprepared in an inert atmosphere as compared to formulations preparedunder conventional conditions.

The formulations of the present invention comprise a base material andactive ingredients.

Base Material

The therapeutic compositions of the present invention comprise a basematerial having wet adherent properties and a therapeutically effectiveamount of one or more medicaments incorporated in the base material. Thebase material is a bioadhesive composition comprising a polyalkyleneglycol, and in particular polyethylene glycol (PEG), and from about 3 to15 wt. % of a water-soluble salt of a copolymer of a lower alkyl vinylether and maleic acid or maleic anhydride. The PEG preferably comprisesa mixture of a low molecular weight PEG which is a liquid at 30° C. anda high molecular weight PEG which is a waxy solid at 30° C. inproportions which result in the mixture having an ointment likeconsistency at room temperature. Suitable mixtures comprise from about40 to about 60 wt. % PEG having a molecular weight of less than 600,most preferably PEG 400, admixed with about 20 to about 50 wt. % PEGhaving a molecular weight above 600, most preferably PEG 3350. The PEGcomponent of the bioadhesive composition may conform to that describedfor ointments in the official monograph of the U.S. Pharmacopoeia (1990)at page 1963.

The alkyl vinyl ether/maleic acid or anhydride copolymers suitable foruse in the base material are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,247,incorporated herein by reference. In general, these copolymers have fromabout 40 to about 90%, preferably from about 70 to 90%, of the initialcarboxyl groups reacted with a metal, and have a molecular weight ofbetween about 18,000 and about 80,000, preferably between about 40,000and about 60,000 as measured by membrane osmometry in 2-butanone (1-10grams/1000 ml solution). The various metal salts of the copolymer can beprepared by reacting the desired amount of metal hydroxide with a loweralkyl vinyl ether/maleic acid or maleic anhydride copolymer having amolecular weight of from about 18,000 to about 80,000. Such alkyl vinylether/maleic acid or anhydride copolymers are commercially availablefrom ISP Corporation and sold as GANTREZ™ S series (MW approximatelyequal to 18,000-70,000; MS series (MW approximately equal to60,000-75,000) and AN series (MW approximately equal to 18,000-80,000).The resultant metal salt product in which a portion of the originalcarboxyl groups are neutralized, is then dried and milled to a suitableparticle size.

For purposes of the present invention, the copolymer is preferably ablend comprising a divalent calcium salt and a monovalent sodium salt ofa methyl vinyl ether/maleic acid copolymer wherein the concentration ofCa is between about 10 and 15 wt. % of the blend; the concentration ofNa is between about 1.5 and about 4 wt. % of the blend, and freeacid-COON represents between about 9 and about 25 wt. % of the blend.Alternatively, a commercially available mixed calcium and sodium salt ofa methyl vinyl ether/maleic acid or anhydride copolymer can be used inthe present mixture. Such a polymeric salt blend is supplied by ISPCorporation as GANTREZ™ MS-955 (CAS #62386-95-2) wherein theconcentration of Ca is between about 11 and 13 wt. % of the blend, theconcentration of Na is between about 2 and 2.5 wt. % of the blend, theproportion of Ca:Na is about 5-6:1 and the molecular weight is about65,000-70,000.

Active Ingredients

The medicament incorporated in the therapeutic compositions of thepresent invention may be any therapeutically active agent or combinationof agents useful in the topical treatment of wounds, rashes, ulcers, andother conditions. For the treatment of aphthous ulcers, the medicamentis preferably the immunosuppressive steroid TAA.

In addition, the therapeutic composition also includes a topicalanesthetic such as lidocaine, benzocaine, bupivacaine, cocaine,dyclonine, mepivacaine, procaine, prilocalne, propoxycaine,chloroprocaine, tetracaine or salts thereof. Preferably, the anestheticis lidocaine or a salt thereof, more preferably the anesthetic islidocaine hydrochloride.

As will be described in Example 1 below, the addition of lidocaine tothe formulation has a stabilizing effect on TAA in the base material.This stability effect can be seen by comparing Tables 1 and 2. Lidocainehydrochloride had a marked effect on the stability of TAA in theformulation. In Example 2, a parallel five-month accelerated stabilityinvestigation revealed that the use of lidocaine hydrochloride increasedthe stability of the TAA formulation approximately 50%. The lidocainehydrochloride was found to be a better stabilizer than lidocaine in thefree base form. This result was particularly surprising because it wascounterintuitive to add the salt of an active ingredient to anon-aqueous mixture rather than adding free base.

In addition to the active medicaments and anesthetic, the therapeuticcompositions of the present invention can contain other components tomodify the physical or esthetic properties thereof, such as coloringagents, flavoring agents, viscosity modifiers, gelling agents,antioxidants, preservatives and the like. Conventional preservativessuch as methylparaben and propylparaben, and mixtures thereof andantioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylatedhydroxyanisole (BHA) may also be included to prevent bacterialcontamination. However, it has been found through experimentation thatthe addition of butylated hydroxytoluene or butylated hydroxyanisole didnot increase the stability of TAA in the formulations described in theRepka patents. Therefore, these additives need not be added to increasestability, but can be added to facilitate another characteristic of theformulation such as antibacterial properties. Moreover, these additivesneed not be present in the therapeutic compositions at all. Therefore,particular embodiments of the therapeutic compositions may be free ofadditives such as, for example, butylated hydroxytoluene, butylatedhydroxyanisole, and EDTA. Accordingly, in one embodiment, thecompositions are free of butylated hydroxytoluene, butylatedhydroxyanisole, or both. In another embodiment, the compositions arefree of EDTA. In another embodiment, the present compositions are freeof butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, EDTA, or anycombination thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment, thecompositions are free of butylated hydroxytoluene, butylatedhydroxyanisole, and EDTA.

In addition, the therapeutic compositions may also contain antioxidants,and in particular, antioxidants that act as reducing agents or oxygenscavengers. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believedthat the instability of TAA is at least in part due to the presence ofoxygen in the prior formulated TAA containing compounds. Accordingly,the use of antioxidants capable of scavenging oxygen, and in particularoxygen free radicals, that may otherwise contribute to TAA degradation,is contemplated. Examples of suitable antioxidants include, for example,citric acid, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), tocopherols and tocotrienols(vitamin E), vitamin K, fumaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, oxalicacid, and glutathione. Accordingly, the therapeutic compositions mayalso comprise an antioxidant. Preferably, the antioxidant acts as areducing agent or oxygen scavenger. In one embodiment, the compositionscomprise an antioxidant selected from the group consisting of oxalicacid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid,and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the compositionscomprise an antioxidant selected from the group consisting of citricacid, ascorbic acid, fumaric acid, and combinations thereof. In anotherembodiment, the compositions comprise an antioxidant selected from thegroup consisting of ascorbic acid, fumaric acid, and combinationsthereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the compositionscomprise ascorbic acid.

Components such as acids or bases can also be added to adjust the pH ofthe compositions of the invention. Preferably, these compositions have apH of less than 8.0, 7.9, 7.8, 7.7, 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, 7.3, 7.2, 7.1, 7.0,6.9, 6.8, 6.7, 6.6, 6.5, 6.4, 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.9, 5.8, 5.7, 5.6,5.5, 5.4, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1, 5.0, 4.9, 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, 4.4, 4.3, 4.2,4.1, or 4.0. Acids which may be included in the compositions include:citric acid, ascorbic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, and lactic acid.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the base material of theformulation comprises a mixture of from about 3 to 15 wt. % GANTREZ™MS-955, from about 40 to 60 wt. % PEG 400, and from about 20 to 50 wt. %PEG 3350. The active ingredients of the composition comprise from about0.01 to about 0.3 wt. %, and most preferably from about 0.01 to 0.25 wt.% triamcinolone acetonide, and from about 0.25 to 6 wt. %, mostpreferably from about 1.5 to 2.5 wt. % lidocaine or a salt thereof. Anyreference herein to a weight percentage of lidocaine salt is based uponthe molar equivalent of lidocaine free base. Therefore, a composition ofthe invention including 5.0 wt. % lidocaine free base would beformulated with 6.0 wt. % lidocaine hydrochloride. Such compositions,when applied to anaphthous ulcer in the oral cavity, are found to adherewell to the mucosal surface and to dissolve slowly in the saliva suchthat the medicament is delivered and the treatment maintained for aperiod of 15 minutes or longer. In comparison therewith, compositionsbased only on the PEG ointment without the GANTREZ™ copolymer componentdo not adhere well to the applied surface, dissolve more rapidly in thesaliva, and are effective for a period of only a few minutes.

In another embodiment, the therapeutic composition contains about 0.1wt. % triamcinolone acetonide, about 2.5 wt. % lidocaine hydrochloride,and a base material comprising from about 3 to 15 wt. % of a watersoluble salt of a copolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic acidor anhydride and from about 85 to 97 wt. % of polyalkylene glycol, andin particular PEG.

In another embodiment, the therapeutic composition contains polyethyleneglycol 400, polyethylene glycol 3350, a water soluble salt of acopolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic acid or anhydride,lidocaine or a salt thereof, triamcinolone acetonide, methylparaben, andpropylparaben.

In yet another embodiment, the therapeutic composition contains about52.6 wt. % polyethylene glycol 400, about 39.0 wt. % polyethylene glycol3350, about 6.0 wt. % water soluble salt of a copolymer of a lower alkylvinyl ether and maleic acid or anhydride, about 2.3 wt. % lidocainehydrochloride, about 0.1 wt. % triamcinolone acetonide, about 0.2 wt. %methylparaben, and about 0.02 wt. % propylparaben.

In one embodiment, the therapeutic composition contains about 52.6 wt. %polyethylene glycol 400, about 39.0 wt. % polyethylene glycol 3350,about 6.0 wt. % water soluble salt of a copolymer of a lower alkyl vinylether and maleic acid or anhydride, about 2 wt. % lidocainehydrochloride, about 0.1 wt. % triamcinolone acetonide, about 0.2 wt. %methylparaben, about 0.02 wt. % propylparaben, up to about 0.02 wt. %butylated hydroxytoluene, and up to about 0.01 wt. % butylatedhydroxyanisole.

In yet another embodiment, the therapeutic composition is a composition,preferably an ointment composition, for the treatment of mouth sorescomprising a polyalkylene glycol, a water soluble salt of a copolymer ofa lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic acid or anhydride, lidocainehydrochloride, triamcinolone acetonide, and a preservative. In aparticular embodiment, the composition for the treatment of mouth sorescomprises polyethylene glycol 400, polyethylene glycol 3350, a watersoluble salt of a copolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic acidor anhydride, lidocaine hydrochloride, triamcinolone acetonide,methylparaben, and propylparaben. The composition may comprise about0.01 to about 0.3 wt. % triamcinolone acetonide, about 0.01 to about0.25 wt. % triamcinolone acetonide, or about 0.075 to about 0.125 wt. %triamcinolone acetonide. In a particularly preferred embodiment, thetherapeutic composition comprises about 0.1 wt. % triamcinoloneacetonide.

The therapeutic composition may also comprise about 0.25 to about 6 wt.% lidocaine hydrochloride, about 0.25 to about 5 wt. % lidocainehydrochloride, about 1 to about 5 wt. % lidocaine hydrochloride, orabout 1.5 to about 2.5 wt. % lidocaine hydrochloride. In a particularlypreferred embodiment, the therapeutic composition comprises 2 wt. %lidocaine hydrochloride. In an even more particularly preferredembodiment, the therapeutic composition comprises about 0.1 wt. %triamcinolone acetonide and about 2 wt. % lidocaine hydrochloride.

Method of Use

While the compositions of the present invention are particularly usefulin the treatment of aphthous ulcers, the utility of the compositions isnot so limited. The compositions of the present invention may also beused in the topical application of medicaments to other mucous membranesin nasal, rectal and vaginal applications as well as oral applications.In addition, the compositions of the present invention may be used inthe general treatment of wounds, abrasions and other epidermalconditions where topical medicaments commonly find application. Thecompositions of the present invention are also useful for the treatmentof eczema, bug bites, burns in mouth and, external mouth sores. Theclinical efficacy of TAA and lidocaine containing formulations is knownfrom the Repka patents and bioadhesive formulations prepared accordingto the Repka patent.

Method of Production

Stability of TAA may also be increased by reducing the amount of oxygenintroduced into the formulation during production or packaging. This canbe achieved in a number of ways, including, for example, by theproduction of any of the therapeutic compositions disclosed herein underan inert atmosphere. In one embodiment, the base material is mixed withthe TAA and lidocaine or a salt thereof, under an inert atmosphere. Thebase may be purchased or produced as described herein.

In one embodiment, the base is produced by:

mixing a liquid polyalkylene glycol, preferably polyethylene glycol, asolid polyalkylene glycol, preferably polyethylene glycol, and a watersoluble salt of a copolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic acidor anhydride at a temperature at or above the melting point of the solidpolyethylene glycol to produce a homogenized mixture; and

mixing a preservative, preferably methylparaben or propylparaben or amixture of methylparaben and propylparaben with the homogenized mixtureto form the base material.

In one embodiment, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and/or butylatedhydroxyanisole (BHA) may be added with the methylparaben andpropylparaben to produce the base.

In another embodiment, the liquid PEG is PEG having a molecular weightof less than 600 such as PEG 400, and the solid PEG is PEG having amolecular weight above 600, such as PEG 3350.

In an embodiment, the base material and/or the homogenized mixture isproduced under an inert atmosphere. In another embodiment, thecomposition is packaged under an inert atmosphere. The inert atmospherecomprises nitrogen, helium, or any inert gas or inert mixture of gasesas known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the inert atmosphere isnitrogen gas.

It is advantageous to add the active ingredients last because it reducestheir exposure to oxygen and heat which could degrade the activeingredients. Furthermore, once it was discovered that lidocainehydrochloride increased the stability of TAA in the formulation itbecame preferable to avoid dissolving the lidocaine hydrochloride in thePEG during the first step of base material production, as was describedin the Repka patents, in order to increase shelf life of thecomposition.

In a preferred embodiment, a composition of the invention is prepared byfirst adding the liquid PEG into a homogenizer or other suitable mixeras known in the art. In one embodiment, the homogenizer is bottom fedand is under continuous vacuum to further minimize oxygen within thehomogenizer. The liquid PEG is heated to a temperature at or above themelting temperature of the solid PEG. The solid PEG and the watersoluble salt of a copolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic acidor anhydride (such as Gantrez™ MS-955) are then fed into the homogenizerand mixed with the liquid PEG until the solid PEG dissolves. Optionally,other solid components (such as methyl paraben, propyl paraben, BHA, orBHT) are then added to the homogenized mixture and well mixed. The basematerial is then cooled to about 55° C. Active ingredients, such as TAAand lidocaine or a salt thereof, are added to the cooled base materialand well mixed to form the therapeutic composition. The composition isthen further cooled and packaged. In one embodiment, the base materialis prepared in an inert atmosphere.

Packaging

The stability of the present formulations may also be increased bypackaging the formulations, preferably under an inert atmosphere, incontainers designed to reduce the degradation of the TAA. Without beingbound by a particular theory, it is believed that reduced exposure tooxygen increases the stability of the present formulations. As such,packaging that is designed or able to limit the amount of oxygen towhich the formulations are exposed when contained therein iscontemplated.

As the formulations are typically in the form of an ointment or gel, anyconventional packaging that reduces exposure of the ointment or gel tooxygen, such as, for example, an oxygen impermeable container, but whichalso allows for dispensing or application of the ointment or gel iscontemplated. Examples of such packaging include containers constructedof glass, plastic, metal, and in particular metal foil, or anycombination thereof, or containers having a metal overwrap. In aparticular embodiment, the ointment or gel is packaged in a flexibleoxygen impermeable container such as a conventional metal foil containerallowing for dispensing or application of the ointment or gel by theapplication of pressure to the container. In another embodiment, thecontainer is wrapped in a metal overwrap or placed in a foil-lined orfoil pouch such as Kapak VWR 2004/2005 Cat# 11213-852.

Stability Analysis

The storage stability of a composition of the invention can bedetermined by measuring the concentration of TAA, lidocaine or a saltthereof, or degradation products of formulae I, II and III as describedin Example 3. For example, the concentration of TAA, lidocaine or a saltthereof, or degradation products of formulae I, II and III can bemeasured by liquid chromatography using methods well known in the art.One method measures the concentration of TAA, lidocaine or a saltthereof, or degradation products of formulae I, II, and III by reversephase high pressure liquid chromatography. The instrument parametersused to measure the experimental stability of TAA, lidocaine or a saltthereof, or degradation products of formulae I, II and III are set outbelow.

Instrument Parameters Injector Hewlett Packard 1050 or 1100 Series PumpHewlett Packard 1050 or 1100 Series Detector Hewlett Packard 1050 or1100 Series Software Hewlett Packard Chemstation or Equivalent ColumnAgilent C8, zorbax, 3.5μ, 4.6 × 150 mm Column Temperature 30° C.Wavelength 238 nm and 280 nm (at 7.8 min) Flow Rate 1.2 mL/min InjectionVolume 60 μL Mobile Phase A 0.05% TFA in DI water Mobile Phase B 0.05%TFA in Acetonitrile Time (min) Mobile Phase Gradient  0 min 85% A   15%B 11 min 0% A 100% B 13 min 0% A 100% B Post time 2 min Elution Time =Lidocaine (3.777 min), Methylparaben (5.161 min), formulae II (6.109min), formulae I (5.881 min), TAA (6.316 min), formulae III (6.803 min),Propylparaben (6.990 min), BHA (8.488 min), BHT (11.774 min)

The storage stability of a therapeutic composition as disclosed hereinmay be determined by measuring the concentration of TAA, lidocaine or asalt thereof, or degradation products of formulae I, II, and III afterexposure of the therapeutic composition to standard storage conditions.Typically, standard stability storage conditions comprise storageconditions in which the temperature is about room temperature and therelative humidity is generally about 60%. The International Conferenceon Harmonization (IHC) guidelines dictate standard stability storageconditions to be at a temperature of 25° C.±2° C. and at a relativehumidity of 60%±5%. A particularly preferred standard stability storagecondition is at a temperature of about 25° C. and a relative humidity ofabout 60%. Once the particular conditions are selected, the compositionis then subject to the standard stability conditions for a period oftime sufficient to determine the effects of the conditions on the testedcomposition. By way of example, the therapeutic compositions disclosedherein may be subjected to the standard stability storage conditions fora period of time sufficient to determine the point at which theconcentration of certain active ingredients falls below an acceptableconcentration or when the concentration of an undesirable degradantexceeds an acceptable concentration. This period of time may be anywherefrom a 6 month period, a 12 month period, an 18 month period, a 24 monthperiod, a 30 month period, or even a 36 month period. It may alsoinclude any period in between, including, for example 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33,34, or 35 month periods.

Thus, in some embodiments, the therapeutic composition is a storagestable therapeutic composition having wet adherent properties comprisinga base material, about 0.01 to about 0.3 wt. % triamcinolone acetonide,and about 0.25 to about 5 wt. % lidocaine or a salt thereof, the basematerial comprising from about 3 to 15 wt. % of a water soluble salt ofa copolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic acid or anhydrideand from about 85 to 97 wt. % of polyethylene glycol and havingparticular characteristics as determined by exposure to particularstandard stability storage conditions. In particular, the storage stabletherapeutic composition may comprise at least about 85% and preferablyat least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, and 99% ofthe amount of triamcinolone acetonide based on the amount oftriamcinolone acetonide within the composition at the time ofmanufacture or about 85% and preferably at least about 90%, 91%, 92%,93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, and 99% of the amount of lidocaine or asalt thereof based on the amount of lidocaine or salt thereof within thecomposition at the time of manufacture after about 12, preferably about18, more preferably about 24, even more preferably about 30, and mostpreferably about 36 months, and in particular at standard stabilitystorage conditions of 25° C.±2° C. and 60%±5% relative humidity, and inparticular, standard stability storage conditions of 25° C. and 60%relative humidity. In particularly preferred embodiments, the storagestable therapeutic composition having wet adherent properties comprisesa base material, about 0.01 to about 0.3 wt. % triamcinolone acetonide,and about 0.25 to about 6 wt. % lidocaine or a salt thereof, the basematerial comprising from about 3 to 15 wt. % of a water soluble salt ofa copolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic acid or anhydrideand from about 85 to 97 wt. % of polyethylene glycol, wherein (a) thecomposition comprises at least 90% of triamcinolone acetonide based onthe amount of triamcinolone acetonide within the composition at the timeof manufacture after 14 months storage at 25° C. and 60% relativehumidity or (b) the composition comprises no more than about 10% ofcompounds having the formulae I, II, and III based upon the amount oftriamcinolone acetonide within the composition at the time ofmanufacture after 14 months storage at 25° C. and 60% relative humidity.

In another embodiment, the therapeutic composition is a storage stabletherapeutic composition having wet adherent properties comprising a basematerial, about 0.01 to about 0.3 wt. % triamcinolone acetonide, andabout 0.25 to about 6 wt. % lidocaine or a salt thereof, the basematerial comprising from about 3 to 15 wt. % of a water soluble salt ofa copolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic acid or anhydrideand from about 85 to 97 wt. % of polyethylene glycol and havingparticular characteristics as determined by exposure to particularstandard stability storage conditions. In particular, the storage stabletherapeutic composition may comprise at least about 0.01 wt. % andpreferably at least about 0.05 wt. %, 0.075 wt. %, 0.1 wt. %, 0.125,0.15 wt. %, 0.2 wt. %, 0.25 wt. %, 0.3 wt. % triamcinolone acetonide andabout 0.25 wt. % and preferably about 0.5 wt. %, 0.75 wt. %, 1 wt. %,1.25 wt. %, 1.5 wt. %, 1.75 wt. %, 2 wt. %, 2.25 wt. %, 2.5 wt. %, 2.75wt. %, 3 wt. %, 3.25 wt. %, 3.5 wt. %, 3.75 wt. %, 4 wt. %, 4.25 wt. %,4.5 wt. %, 4.75 wt. %, 5 wt. %, 5.25 wt. %, 5.5 wt. % or 5.75 wt. %lidocaine or a salt thereof after about 12, preferably about 18, morepreferably about 24, even more preferably about 30, and most preferablyabout 36 months, and in particular at standard stability storageconditions of 25° C.±2° C. and at a relative humidity of 60%±5%, and inparticular standard stability storage conditions of 25° C. and 60%relative humidity. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the storagestable therapeutic composition having wet adherent properties comprisesa base material, about 0.01 to about 0.3 wt. % triamcinolone acetonide,and about 0.25 to about 5 wt. % lidocaine or a salt thereof, the basematerial comprising from about 3 to 15 wt. % of a water soluble salt ofa copolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic acid or anhydrideand from about 85 to 97 wt. % of polyethylene glycol, wherein: (a) thecomposition comprises at least 0.09 wt. % triamcinolone acetonide and1.8 wt. % lidocaine, and preferably 1.9 wt % lidocaine, or a saltthereof after 14 months or (b) the composition comprises no more thanabout 0.01 wt. % of compounds having the formulae I, II, and III after14 months.

In one embodiment, the therapeutic composition maintains a minimum TAAconcentration of 0.09 wt. % for at least 14 months. Preferably, thecomposition maintains a minimum TAA concentration of 0.09 wt. % for atleast 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,31, 32, 33, 34, 35, or 36 months or more. In one embodiment, thetherapeutic composition has a maximum TAA concentration of 0.15% and aminimum TAA concentration of 0.09 wt. % for at least 14 months.

The storage stability of a therapeutic composition as disclosed hereinmay also be determined by measuring the concentration of TAA, lidocaineor a salt thereof, or degradation products of formulae I, II, and IIIafter exposure of the therapeutic composition to accelerated stabilitystorage conditions. Typically, accelerated stability storage conditionscomprise storage conditions in which the temperature is in excess ofroom temperature and the relative humidity is in excess of 60%. TheInternational Conference on Harmonization (IHC) guidelines dictateaccelerated stability storage conditions to be at a temperature of 40°C.±2° C. and at a relative humidity of 75%±5%. A particularly preferredaccelerated stability storage condition is at a temperature of about 40°C. and a relative humidity of about 75%. Once the particular conditionsare selected, the composition is then subject to the acceleratedstability conditions for a period of time sufficient to determine theeffects of the conditions on the tested composition. By way of example,the therapeutic compositions disclosed herein may be subject to theaccelerated stability storage conditions for a period of time sufficientto determine the point at which the concentration of certain activeingredients falls below an acceptable concentration or when theconcentration of an undesirable degradant exceeds an acceptableconcentration. This period of time may be anywhere from a one monthperiod to a 6 month period, a 12 month period, an 18 month period, oreven a 24 month period. It may also include any period in between,including, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 month periods.

Thus, in one embodiment, the therapeutic composition is a storage stabletherapeutic composition having wet adherent properties comprising a basematerial, about 0.01 to about 0.3 wt. % triamcinolone acetonide, andabout 0.25 to about 6 wt. % lidocaine or a salt thereof, the basematerial comprising from about 3 to 15 wt. % of a water soluble salt ofa copolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic acid or anhydrideand from about 85 to 97 wt. % of polyethylene glycol and havingparticular characteristics as determined by exposure to particularaccelerated stability storage conditions. In particular, the storagestable therapeutic composition may comprise at least about 85%,preferably at least about 90%, still more preferably at least about 95%,even more preferably about 97%, and most preferably about 99% of theamount of triamcinolone acetonide based on the amount of triamcinoloneacetonide within the composition at the time of manufacture or and about85%, preferably at least about 90%, still more preferably at least about95%, even more preferably about 97%, and most preferably about 99% ofthe amount of lidocaine or a salt thereof based on the amount oflidocaine or salt thereof within the composition at the time ofmanufacture after about 6, preferably about 12, more preferably about18, and most preferably about 24 months of accelerated stability storageconditions of 40° C.±2° C. and 75±5% relative humidity, and inparticular, accelerated stability storage conditions of 40° C. and 75%relative humidity. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the storagestable therapeutic composition having wet adherent properties comprisesa base material, about 0.01 to about 0.3 wt. % triamcinolone acetonide,and about 0.25 to about 5 wt. % lidocaine or a salt thereof, the basematerial comprising from about 3 to 15 wt. % of a water soluble salt ofa copolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic acid or anhydrideand from about 85 to 97 wt. % of polyethylene glycol, wherein (a) thecomposition comprises at least 90% of said triamcinolone acetonide basedupon the amount of said triamcinolone acetonide within the compositionat the time of manufacture after 6 months accelerated stability storageat 40° C. and 75% relative humidity; or (b) the composition comprises nomore than about 10% of the compounds having the formulae I, II, and IIIbased upon the amount of said triamcinolone acetonide within thecomposition at the time of manufacture after 6 months acceleratedstability storage at 40° C. and 75% relative humidity.

The disclosure of the Repka patents, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,112,620 and5,714,165, are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent thatmodifications and variations are possible without departing the scope ofthe invention defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, it should beappreciated that all examples in the present disclosure are provided asnon-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES

The following non-limiting examples are provided to further illustratethe present invention. It should be appreciated by those of skill in theart that the techniques disclosed in the examples that follow representapproaches the inventors have found function well in the practice of theinvention, and thus can be considered to constitute examples of modesfor its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, in light ofthe present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in thespecific embodiments that are disclosed and still obtain a like orsimilar result without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

Example 1 Stability Tests for Formulations Containing TAA Only and TAAand Lidocaine

Stability tests were conducted to determine the stability of TAA in abase material with wet adherent properties. The tests were conductedunder accelerated and standard storage conditions.

Tests were conducted on formulation comprising a base material and TAA.The first formulation was identified as Formulation A and comprised theraw materials listed in the table below.

Formulation A Raw Material % of Product by Wt. Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)400 53.7% Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 39.9% Gantrez ™ MS-955  6.0%Methylparaben  0.2% Triamcinolone Acetonide (TAA)  0.1% EdetateDisodium, Dihydrate 0.05% Propylparaben 0.02% Butylated Hydroxytoluene(BHT) 0.02% Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) 0.01% Total  100%

Formulation A was produced on a production scale, the formulation wasprepared by first adding the PEG 400 into a Ross VersaMix kettle. ThePEG 3350 was then added and the mixture heated with mixing to 60-65° C.The PEGs were mixed at this temperature for 10 minutes. The BHA, BHT,propyl paraben, and methyl paraben were added to the kettle and themixture maintained at 60-65° C. with mixing for 10 minutes. The EDTA andGantrez™ MS-955 were then added and the heated mixture was then stirredan additional 10 minutes. TAA was then added and the mixture wasmaintained at 60-65° C. with mixing for 10 minutes. The formulation wasthen cooled to 44-54° C., deaerated via vacuum, and packaged forstorage.

The results of the stability studies for formulation A are summarized inthe tables below.

TABLE 1a Accelerated Storage (40° C./75% relative humidity) Months ofStorage Measured % of theoretical concentration Initial Preparation100.8 1 96.5 2 93.0 3 87.9 6 78.7

TABLE 1b Room Temperature Storage (25° C./60% relative humidity) Monthsof Storage Measured % of theoretical concentration Initial Preparation100.8 3 97.1 6 95.2 9 89.2 12  84.2

The stability tests were repeated on a formulation comprising a basematerial, TAA, and lidocaine. The formulation was identified asFormulation B and comprised the raw materials listed in the table below.

Formulation B Raw Material % of Product by Wt. Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)400 52.6 Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 39.0 Gantrez ™ MS-955 6.0Lidocaine (LID) 2.0 Methylparaben 0.2 Triamcinolone Acetonide (TAA) 0.1Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate 0.05 Propylparaben 0.02 ButylatedHydroxytoluene (BHT) 0.02 Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) 0.01 Total 100%

Formulation B was produced on a production scale, the formulation wasprepared by first adding the PEG 400 into a Ross VersaMix kettle. ThePEG 3350 was then added and the mixture heated with mixing to 60-65° C.The PEGs were mixed at this temperature for 10 minutes. The BHA, BHT,propyl paraben, and methyl paraben were added to the kettle and themixture maintained at 60-65° C. with mixing for 10 minutes. The EDTA andGantrez™ MS-955 were then added and the heated mixture was then stirredan additional 10 minutes. TAA and lidocaine were then added and themixture was maintained at 60-65° C. with mixing for 10 minutes. Theformulation was then cooled to 44-54° C., deaerated via vacuum, andpackaged for storage.

The results of the test for formulation B are summarized in the tablesbelow.

TABLE 2a Accelerated (40° C./75% relative humidity) Months of StorageMeasured % of theoretical concentration Initial Preparation 100.4 1 96.82 94.3 3 92.9 6 82.2

TABLE 2b Room Temperature (25° C./60% relative humidity) Months ofStorage Measured % of theoretical concentration Initial Preparation100.4 3 96.5 6 96.1 9 93.9 12  90.4

The data in table 1b shows Formulation A would fail the FDA shelf lifestorage stability requirement for TAA between 6 and 9 months of storageunder standard storage conditions. Extrapolation of the data in table 2bshows formulation B's TAA concentration would fail after 13 months.Comparison of Formulation A and B, surprisingly, shows that the additionof lidocaine had a stabilizing effect.

Example 2 Stability Tests for Formulations Containing Various Forms ofLidocaine

Five formulations were prepared and tested to determine the effect oflidocaine and lidocaine hydrochloride in formulations comprising a basematerial and TAA.

Each formulation was prepared on a laboratory scale. The dryingredients, including active ingredients, were added to a 1 L beakerand mixed well with a mechanical stirrer for thirty minutes. The PEG 400was added to the beaker with continuous stirring and heating to 65° C.over a period of thirty minutes to form a hot gel. The hot gel was thentransferred into 11 glass vials and allowed to cool to room temperature.

The five formulations contained varying combinations of lidocaine,lidocaine hydrochloride, and TAA, as well as benzoic acid to lower thepH of the formulations. The components of each formulation aresummarized in the tables below.

Formulation A (Only TAA) Raw Material % of Product by Wt. PolyethyleneGlycol (PEG) 400 53.7% Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 39.9% Gantrez ™MS-955  6.0% Methylparaben  0.2% Triamcinolone Acetonide (TAA)  0.1%Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate 0.05% Propylparaben 0.02% ButylatedHydroxytoluene (BHT) 0.02% Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) 0.01% Total 100%

Formulation B (TAA + Lid) Raw Material % of Product by Wt. PolyethyleneGlycol (PEG) 400 52.6 Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 39.0 Gantrez ™MS-955 6.0 Lidocaine (LID) 2.0 Methylparaben 0.2 Triamcinolone Acetonide(TAA) 0.1 Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate 0.05 Propylparaben 0.02 ButylatedHydroxytoluene (BHT) 0.02 Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) 0.01 Total 100%

Formulation C (Lid-Bz) Raw Material % of Product by Wt. PolyethyleneGlycol (PEG) 400 52.9% Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 38.3% Gantrez ™MS-955  6.0% Lidocaine  2.0% Methylparaben  0.2% Triamcinolone Acetonide(TAA)  0.1% Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate 0.05% Propylparaben 0.02%Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) 0.02% Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)0.01% Benzoic acid  0.4% Total  100%

Formulation D (Lid•HCl) Raw Material % of Product by Wt. PolyethyleneGlycol (PEG) 400 52.3% Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 38.8% Gantrez ™MS-955  6.0% Lidocaine Hydrochloride (LID•HCl)  2.5% Methylparaben  0.2%Triamcinolone Acetonide (TAA)  0.1% Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate 0.05%Propylparaben 0.02% Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) 0.02% ButylatedHydroxyanisole (BHA) 0.01% Total  100%

Formulation E (Lid•HCl + Bz) Raw Material % of Product by Wt.Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 400 52.6% Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 38.2%Gantrez ™ MS-955  6.0% Lidocaine Hydrochloride (LID•HCl)  2.3%Methylparaben 0.20% Triamcinolone Acetonide (TAA)  0.1% EdetateDisodium, Dihydrate 0.05% Propylparaben 0.02% Butylated Hydroxytoluene(BHT) 0.02% Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) 0.01% Benzoic acid  0.5%Total  100%

The pH of the five formulations was measured. To determine the pH ofeach formulation approximately 1 g of sample was placed into a beakerand diluted with 50 mL of DI water. Two drops of a saturated solution ofKCl were added and the pH was then measured using a calibrated pH meter.The results of the pH measurements are reported in the table below.

TABLE 3 Formulation Identification Name Components of formulation pHFormulation A No lidocaine, only TAA in the base 6.81 (Only TAA)formulation Formulation B TAA + lidocaine in the base formulation 8.10(TAA + Lid) Formulation C TAA + lidocaine + benzoic acid in base 7.32(Lid-Bz) formulation Formulation D TAA + lidocaine hydrochloride in the6.79 (Lid-HCl) base formulation Formulation E TAA + lidocainehydrochloride + 6.07 (Lid-HCl + Bz) benzoic acid in base formulation

The formulations were stored under accelerated storage conditions as inExample 1. Periodic measurements were made to determine theconcentration of TAA in the formulations.

The results of the five month accelerated storage test at 40° C. and 75%relative humidity are illustrated in Table 4A and 4B below and in FIGS.1 and 2. The data contained in Tables 4A and 4B and in FIGS. 1 and 2shows that the formulation with TAA and lidocaine hydrochloride(Lid-HCl) was the most stable formulation of TAA in the bioadhesivebase.

TABLE 4A TAA % after months of accelerated storage Formulation 1 mo. 3mos. 4 mos. 5 mos. A (Only-TAA) 101.4 95 85.9 84.2 B (TAA + Lid) 103.293.5 90.2 87.9 C (Lid-Bz) 98 90.7 78 73.8 D (Lid-HCl) 101.6 100.5 95.393.3 E (Lid-HCl + Bz) 95.5 91.5 83.4 82

TABLE 4B Normalized TAA % after months of accelerated storageFormulation 1 mo. 3 mos. 4 mos. 5 mos. A (Only-TAA) 100 93.6 84.5 82.8 B(TAA + Lid) 100 90.3 87 84.7 C (Lid-Bz) 100 92.7 80 75.8 D (Lid-HCl) 10098.9 93.7 91.7 E (Lid-HCl + Bz) 100 96 87.9 86.5

By comparing formulation B (pH 8.10) to formulation C (pH 7.32) andformulation D (pH 6.79) to formulation E (pH 6.07) it is shown that TAAin a bioadhesive formulation is degraded faster in a formulation withacid added than in a formulation without acid added. Therefore,decreasing the pH of the bioadhesive formulation did not increasestability of TAA as reported by Gupta and Ungphaiboon for TAA solutions.It appears that the benzoic acid interfered with the stabilizingproperties of lidocaine and lidocaine hydrochloride.

Example 3 Determination of Degradants

LC-MS studies have found the degradation of TAA in formulation B resultsin the formation of three key oxidative degradation compounds having theformulae:

These degradation products were found in both degraded TAA (degradeddrug substance) and degraded formulation B (degraded drug productsample). HPLC chromatograms of these decomposed samples indicate thatthe combined peak areas of formulae I, II, and III correspond to theloss of area in the TAA peak due to oxidative degradation. Therefore,with due consideration of the margin of analytical error, mass balancecan be achieved as the relative total area count of these threeindicator compounds and can be used to monitor the stability of TAA inthe formulation. International Conference on Harmonization (ICH)Guidance Document Q1A, “Stability Testing of New Drug Substances andProducts.”

Example 4 Air Oxidation of TAA-Lidocaine Hydrochloride and TAA-LidocaineFree Base in a Mixture of Methanol and Water

The purpose of this investigation was to demonstrate that formulation D,using lidocaine hydrochloride, is more stable to air exposure thanformulation B, using lidocaine.

Experiment A—A solution of TAA (29 mg) in methanol (20 mL) was treatedwith lidocaine (580 mg), and air bubbled through the mixture using aglass pipette.

Experiment B—A solution of TAA (32 mg) in methanol (20 mL) was treatedwith lidocaine hydrochloride (640 mg) and air bubbled through themixture using a glass pipette.

The progress of each experiment was monitored by HPLC. The HPLC resultsshowed there was no significant difference between the experiments after24 hrs. To each of these reactions was added water (1 mL) and thereaction was allowed to continue over two days. The HPLC results showeda significant difference between experiment A, illustrated as the HPLCchromatogram of FIG. 3, and experiment B, illustrated as the HPLCchromatogram of FIG. 4. Experiment A (TAA-Lidocaine) showed significantimpurities (Im) versus experiment B (TAA-Lidocaine-hydrochloride).

The area of the TAA peak decreased as the experiment continued (data notshown). It was found that the increase in peak area of the impuritieswas directly proportional to the decrease of the TAA peak area.

Example 5 Stability of Formulations B and D Under Oxidative StressConditions

In separate beakers 1.543 g of formulation B and 1.560 g of theformulation D were dissolved in methanol (20 mL). To these solutions wasadded copper(II) acetate (6.89 mg). In formulation B, the color of thesolution changed from blue to green immediately. In formulation D, thecolor of the solution changed from blue to green only after heating for5 min. The color of copper (II) is blue and the color of the copper (I)is green. This experiment shows formulation D is more resistant tooxidation than formulation B.

Example 6 Stability of Formulations Containing Antioxidants

The purpose of this investigation is to determine the effects ofindividual ingredients such as EDTA, BHA, BHT, lidocaine free base, andlidocaine hydrochloride on the stability of TAA in the formulationslisted in Table 5 and the specific Formulation Detail Tables listedthereafter. The method of preparation of the formulations is the same aslisted in Method of Production above using pilot scale manufacturingequipment (5 kg scale).

TABLE 5 Formulation ID Formulation Constituents 001 Using Lidocaine freebase 002 Using Lidocaine•HCl Monohydrate 003 Using Lidocaine•HClMonohydrate 004 Using Lidocaine•HCl Monohydrate 005 Using Lidocaine•HClMonohydrate minus BHA & BHT 006 Using Lidocaine•HCl Monohydrate minusEDTA 007 Using Lidocaine•HCl Monohydrate minus BHA/BHT/EDTA 008 UsingLidocaine•HCl Monohydrate minus BHA/BHT/EDTA 009 Using Lidocaine•HClMonohydrate minus BHA/BHT/EDTA 010 Current Formulation, TAA only, minusLID 011 Current Formulation, TAA only, minus LID, BHA, BHT, EDTA 012Using LID•HCl Monohydrate minus TAA 013 Using LID•HCl Monohydrate minusTAA, BHT/BHA, EDTA  014* Using LID•HCl Monohydrate with TAH, minus TAA,BHT/BHA, EDTA  015* Using LID•HCl Monohydrate minus BHT/BHA, EDTA, PlusOxalic Acid  016* Using LID•HCl Monohydrate minus BHT/BHA, EDTA, PlusCitric Acid 017 Using LID•HCl Monohydrate minus BHT/BHA, EDTA, PlusAscorbic Acid 018 Using LID•HCl Monohydrate minus BHT/BHA, EDTA, PlusFumaric Acid  019* Using LID•HCl Monohydrate minus BHT/BHA, EDTA, PlusDL Malic Acid  020* Using LID•HCl Monohydrate minus BHT/BHA, EDTA, PlusLactic Acid *study numbers 014-016, 019, and 020, as discussed ingreater detail below, were not further examined.

Formulation Details

Formulation 001 Raw Material % of Product by Wt. Polyethylene Glycol(PEG) 400 52.600 Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 39.000 GANTREZ ™ MS-9556.000 Lidocaine 2.000 Methylparaben 0.200 Triamcinolone Acetonide (TAA)0.100 Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate 0.050 Propylparaben 0.020 ButylatedHydroxytoluene (BHT) 0.020 Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) 0.010 Total100.000

Formulation 002-004 Raw Material % of Product by Wt. Polyethylene Glycol(PEG) 400 52.312 Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 38.823 GANTREZ ™ MS-9556.000 Lidocaine•HCL (LID•HCL) 2.465 Methylparaben 0.200 TriamcinoloneAcetonide (TAA) 0.100 Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate 0.050 Propylparaben0.020 Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) 0.020 Butylated Hydroxyanisole(BHA) 0.010 Total 100.000

Formulation 005 Raw Material % of Product by Wt. Polyethylene Glycol(PEG) 400 52.329 Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 38.836 GANTREZ ™ MS-9556.000 Lidocaine•HCL (LID•HCL) 2.465 Methylparaben 0.200 TriamcinoloneAcetonide (TAA) 0.100 Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate 0.050 Propylparaben0.020 Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) 0.000 Butylated Hydroxyanisole(BHA) 0.000 Total 100.000

Formulation 006 Raw Material % of Product by Wt. Polyethylene Glycol(PEG) 400 52.341 Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 38.844 GANTREZ ™ MS-9556.000 Lidocaine•HCL (LID•HCL) 2.465 Methylparaben 0.200 TriamcinoloneAcetonide (TAA) 0.100 Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate 0.000 Propylparaben0.020 Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) 0.020 Butylated Hydroxyanisole(BHA) 0.010 Total 100.000

Formulation 007-009 Raw Material % of Product by Wt. Polyethylene Glycol(PEG) 400 52.358 Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 38.857 GANTREZ ™ MS-9556.000 Lidocaine•HCL (LID•HCL) 2.465 Methylparaben 0.200 TriamcinoloneAcetonide (TAA) 0.100 Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate 0.000 Propylparaben0.020 Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) 0.000 Butylated Hydroxyanisole(BHA) 0.000 Total 100.000

Formulation 010 Raw Material % of Product by Wt. Polyethylene Glycol(PEG) 400 53.748 Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 39.852 GANTREZ ™ MS-9556.000 Lidocaine 0.000 Methylparaben 0.200 Triamcinolone Acetonide (TAA)0.100 Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate 0.050 Propylparaben 0.020 ButylatedHydroxytoluene (BHT) 0.020 Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) 0.010 Total100.000

Formulation 011 Raw Material % of Product by Wt. Polyethylene Glycol(PEG) 400 53.794 Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 39.886 GANTREZ ™ MS-9556.000 Lidocaine 0.000 Methylparaben 0.200 Triamcinolone Acetonide (TAA)0.100 Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate 0.000 Propylparaben 0.020 ButylatedHydroxytoluene (BHT) 0.000 Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) 0.000 Total100.000

Formulation 012 Raw Material % of Product by Wt. Polyethylene Glycol(PEG) 400 52.369 Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 38.866 GANTREZ ™ MS-9556.000 Lidocaine•HCL (LID•HCL) 2.465 Methylparaben 0.200 TriamcinoloneAcetonide (TAA) 0.000 Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate 0.050 Propylparaben0.020 Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) 0.020 Butylated Hydroxyanisole(BHA) 0.010 Total 100.000

Formulation 013 Raw Material % of Product by Wt. Polyethylene Glycol(PEG) 400 52.415 Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 38.900 GANTREZ ™ MS-9556.000 Lidocaine•HCL (LID•HCL) 2.465 Methylparaben 0.200 TriamcinoloneAcetonide (TAA) 0.000 Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate 0.000 Propylparaben0.020 Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) 0.000 Butylated Hydroxyanisole(BHA) 0.000 Total 100.000

Formulation 017 Raw Material % of Product by Wt. Polyethylene Glycol(PEG) 400 51.210 Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 38.005 GANTREZ ™ MS-9556.000 Lidocaine•HCL (LID•HCL) 2.465 Methylparaben 0.200 TriamcinoloneAcetonide (TAA) 0.100 Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate 0.000 Propylparaben0.020 Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) 0.000 Butylated Hydroxyanisole(BHA) 0.000 Ascorbic Acid 2.000 Total 100.000

Formulation 018 Raw Material % of Product by Wt. Polyethylene Glycol(PEG) 400 51.210 Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 38.005 GANTREZ ™ MS-9556.000 Lidocaine•HCL (LID•HCL) 2.465 Methylparaben 0.200 TriamcinoloneAcetonide (TAA) 0.100 Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate 0.000 Propylparaben0.020 Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) 0.000 Butylated Hydroxyanisole(BHA) 0.000 Fumaric Acid 2.000 Total 100.000

Twenty bio-adhesive gel pilot batches, designated 001 through 020, wereformulated. Formulation 001 contains Lidocaine free base. Formulations002 to 004 contain Lidocaine Hydrochloride in place of the Lidocainefree base. Formulations 005 and 006 were designed to assess the roles ofEDTA, BHA, and BHT. The formulation used in 007 to 009 was designed toassess the impact of removing all of these preservatives/anitoxidants.Trials 010 and 011 were designed to assess the impact of removingLidocaine from the formulation completely to better understand theeffect on the TAA. Formulations 012 and 013 established the impact ofpreservative/antioxidant removal on the Lidocaine stability. In additionthey help to assess the presence of lidocaine degradation products inthe absence of TAA. In Formulation 014, TAA was replaced withtriamcinolone hexanoide (TH), a derivative of TAA, to assess THstability versus TAA. Formulations 015 through 020 were designed toestablish the effect of individual organic acids/antioxidants on theoxidative degradation of TAA.

Normalized TAA assay results for six months of accelerated stabilitystorage are represented in Table 6 and in FIG. 5.

TABLE 6 Normalized TAA assay results for 6 months of acceleratedstability storage Lot# 0 m 1 m 2 m 3 m 4 m 5 m 6 m 001 100 96 93.9 91.890.5 89.7 84.3 002 100 100.5 99.9 99.1 99.3 100 98.4 003 100 98.4 96.797.2 98.5 97.6 96.1 004 100 98.4 97.9 97.4 97.5 97.9 96.3 005 100 97.996.7 96.7 97.4 96.8 94.2 006 100 98.8 97.4 97.0 97.1 97.3 96.1 007 10098.4 98.3 97.5 97.7 97.2 96.0 008 100 100 98.7 97.5 98.9 98.1 97.4 009100 99.2 98.8 97.7 98.2 97.2 97.2 010 100 95.3 93.0 90.9 90.1 88.7 87.9011 100 95.9 97.1 96.9 95.0 93.1 93.7 017 100 98.0 99.1 99.5 97.8 97.698.8 018 100 97.1 97.9 98.8 96.7 97.5 97.1 *study numbers 014-016, 019,and 020, as discussed in greater detail below, were not furtherexamined.

Total percent of TAA degradants for the six months of acceleratedstorage were calculated by totaling the individual percent degradantsfor each of formulae I, II, and III, each individual percentage beingdetermined according to the following formula, and are listed in Table 7and depicted graphically in FIG. 6.

${\% \mspace{14mu} {Imp}} = {\frac{( {{Area}\mspace{14mu} {Imp}} )}{( {{{Area}\mspace{14mu} T\; A\; A}\; + {{Area}\mspace{14mu} {Imp}\mspace{14mu} I} + {{Area}\mspace{14mu} {Imp}\mspace{14mu} {II}} + {{Area}\mspace{14mu} {Imp}\mspace{14mu} {III}}} )} \times 100\%}$

TABLE 7 Total % TAA Degradants for 6 months of accelerated storage Lot#0-time 1 m 2 m 3 m 4 m 5 m 6 m 001 0 3.2 4.63 6.74 8.2 9.16 11.92 002 00.96 1.18 1.97 2.29 2.59 3.43 003 0 0.91 1.1 1.8 2.11 2.39 3.21 004 00.98 1.22 2.05 2.36 2.67 3.66 005 0 0.75 1.2 1.88 2.51 2.89 4.92 006 00.76 1.21 1.78 2.2 2.58 3.33 007 0 0.79 1.33 2.04 2.59 2.95 4.43 008 00.77 1.25 1.88 2.38 2.96 4.59 009 0 0.82 1.33 2.01 2.53 3.05 4.03 010 03.4 5.03 7.06 8.26 10.22 10.98 011 0 NA 2.11 3.18 4.81 4.66 4.98 017 0NA 0.69 2.18 1.5 1.61 1.78 018 0 NA 1.3 1.81 1.86 2.14 2.77

The total percent TAA degradants, as listed in Table 7 above and Table 9below, represents the percentage of the 0.1 wt. % TAA degraded. Thus,for example, 001 has 11.92% degradation of the 0.1 wt. % TAA, or 0.012wt. % TAA degradants, and 002 has 3.43% degradation of the 0.1 wt. %TAA, or 0.003 wt % TAA degradants. The total percent of TAA degradantslisted in the table is the sum of percent TAA degradants of formulae I,II, and III.

Normalized TAA assay results for twelve months of room temperaturestability storage were determined and are listed in Table 8 and depictedgraphically in FIG. 7.

TABLE 8 Normalized TAA assay results for 12 months of room temperaturestability storage Lot# 0-time 3 m 6 m 9 m 12 m 001 100 96.7 92.5 93.190.6 002 100 100.8 99.6 100.8 98.8 003 100 98.5 95.1 97.0 97.0 004 10099.2 97.0 98.6 96.8 005 100 98.5 96.0 97.1 95.4 006 100 98.9 97.9 98.196.3 007 100 99.8 97.9 98.4 96.8 008 100 100.7 98.3 99.4 97.4 009 10099.0 98.2 99.4 98.1 010 100 95.9 93.5 93.2 91.2 011 100 96.7 94.9 94.693.1 017 100 99.7 98.6 99.8 96.2 018 100 98.9 98.1 99.0 96.2

Total percent of TAA degradants for the twelve months of roomtemperature storage were calculated by totaling the individual percentTAA degradants for each of formulae I, II, and III, each individualpercentage being determined according to the following formula and arelisted in Table 9 and depicted graphically in FIG. 8.

${\% \mspace{14mu} {Imp}} = {\frac{( {{Area}\mspace{14mu} {Imp}} )}{( {{{Area}\mspace{14mu} {TAA}} + {{Area}\mspace{14mu} {Imp}\mspace{14mu} I} + {{Area}\mspace{14mu} {Imp}\mspace{14mu} {II}} + {{Area}\mspace{14mu} {Imp}\mspace{14mu} {III}}} )} \times 100\%}$

TABLE 9 Total % TAA Degradants for 12 months of room temperature storageLot# 0-time 3 m 6 m 9 m 12 m 001 0 2.84 4.92 6.3 7.83 002 0 0.72 0.941.53 2.1 003 0 0.81 0.99 1.44 2.09 004 0 0.73 0.97 1.6 2.29 005 0 0.690.96 1.59 2.12 006 0 0.74 1 1.61 2.29 007 0 0.8 1.44 1.79 2.43 008 00.84 1.65 1.88 2.38 009 0 0.79 1.32 1.74 2.35 010 0 2.89 4.68 6.5 8.57011 0 2.58 3.21 4.35 5.93 017 0 0.73 0.68 1.28 2.07 018 0 0.88 0.93 1.451.47

Trials 001 and 003 were subjected to HPLC analysis. The results arerepresented in FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively, and demonstrate the reduceddegradation of TAA (and likewise the decreased presence of compoundshaving the formulae I, II, or III) in formulation 003 versus formulation001.

Example 7 Use of a Blanket of Inert Gas

This purpose of the following investigation was to determine the affectsof producing a therapeutic compound under a blanket of inert gas. TheS-001 batch listed in Table 10 was prepared using the Fryma MaxxDsemi-solid manufacturing equipment. Studies S-002 through S-017 wereperformed at the Fryma process lab in Germany. S-017 was found to haveinconsistent results indicating non-homogeneous product. As thismaterial was from the same batch as studies S-015 & 016, it wasconcluded that the inconsistencies may have stemmed from a heating bandmalfunction which occurred during the packaging of S-017 (the lastmaterial in the batch to be packaged). Study S-017, which is a repeat ofthe data for S-013, was therefore excluded from further study.

TABLE 10 Batch # Study Code Experiment Description S-001 Formulation 001of Example 6 1 S-002 Lab scale of S-001 2 S-003 Repeat of S-002 3 S-004Lab scale of S-001 with process change to introduce the Gantrez with thePEG 3350 4 S-005 Repeat of S-004 except heat premix under vacuum toremove any water (premix sample held at 65 deg C. with 4 vacuum cycles~30 min) S-006 Repeat of S-004 except heat premix under vacuum to removeany water (premix sample held at 85 deg C. for an additional 3 vacuumcycles ~25 min) S-007 Repeat of S-004 except heat premix under vacuum toremove any water (the final product formulated from the above premixS-006) 5 S-008 Repeat of S-002 with extended heating (65 deg C.) holdunder vacuum to remove water (3 vacuum cycles ~35 min) S-009 Repeat ofS-002 with extended heating (85 deg C.) hold under vacuum to removewater (S-008 product held at 85 deg C. for 3 vacuum cycles ~30 min) 6S-010 S-001 with dried Gantrez 7 S-011 S-001 with manufacturing andpackaging under nitrogen as well as secondary nitrogen filled foil pouchS-012 S-001 with manufacturing and packaging under nitrogen (S-011without foil pouch) S-013 S-001 with manufacturing under nitrogen (S-011without nitrogen blanket on tube filler/sealer) 8 S-014 S-001 withoutGantrez 9 S-015 Repeat of S-011 S-016 Repeat of S-012 S-017 Repeat ofS-013

The percent TAA recovery, obtained according to the acceleratedstability storage methods discussed above for a six month period, isrepresented graphically in FIG. 12. The TAA recovery, obtained accordingto the standard stability storage methods discussed above for a 24 monthperiod, is represented graphically in FIG. 13. For these studies, dataregarding months 7, 8, 10, 11, 13-17, and 19-23 were calculated valuesbased on observed values using data obtained for months 1-6, 9, 12, 18,and 24 (the standard test periods per the IHC). For the clinical trialmaterial (CTM) batch and registration (Reg 1, Reg 2, and Reg 3) batches(the same formulation as Formulation 001 of example 6), data regardingmonths 7, 8, 10, and 11 were calculated values based on observed valuesusing data obtained for months 1-6, 9, and 12.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferredembodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” areintended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms“comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. Asvarious changes could be made in the above methods without departingfrom the scope of the invention, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description and shown in any accompanying figuresshall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

1. A storage stable therapeutic composition having wet adherentproperties comprising a base material, about 0.01 to about 0.3 wt. %triamcinolone acetonide, and about 0.25 to about 6 wt. % lidocaine or asalt thereof, the base material comprising from about 3 to 15 wt. % of awater soluble salt of a copolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether andmaleic acid or anhydride and from about 85 to 97 wt. % of a polyalkyleneglycol, wherein: (a) the composition comprises at least about 90% ofsaid triamcinolone acetonide based on the amount of said triamcinoloneacetonide within the composition at the time of manufacture after 14months storage at 25° C. and 60% relative humidity; (b) the compositioncomprises no more than about 10% of compounds having the formulae I, II,and/or III based upon the amount of said triamcinolone acetonide withinthe composition at the time of manufacture after 14 months storage at25° C. and 60% relative humidity

(c) the composition comprises at least about 90% of said triamcinoloneacetonide based upon the amount of said triamcinolone acetonide withinthe composition at the time of manufacture after 6 months acceleratedstability storage at 40° C. and 75% relative humidity; or (d) thecomposition comprises no more than about 10% of the compounds having theformulae I, II, and III based upon the amount of said triamcinoloneacetonide within the composition at the time of manufacture after 6months accelerated stability storage at 40° C. and 75% relativehumidity.
 2. A storage stable therapeutic composition having wetadherent properties comprising a base material, about 0.1 wt. %triamcinolone acetonide, and about 2 wt. % lidocaine or a salt thereof,the base material comprising from about 3 to 15 wt. % of a water solublesalt of a copolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic acid oranhydride and from about 85 to 97 wt. % of polyethylene glycol, wherein:(a) the composition comprises at least about 0.09 wt. % triamcinoloneacetonide and about 1.8 wt. % lidocaine or a salt thereof after 14months; or (b) the composition comprises no more than about 0.01 wt. %of compounds having the formulae I, II, and/or III after 14 months


3. A composition for the treatment of mouth sores comprising apolyalkylene glycol, a water soluble salt of a copolymer of a loweralkyl vinyl ether and maleic acid or anhydride, lidocaine hydrochloride,triamcinolone acetonide, and a preservative.
 4. The composition of claim1, wherein the polyalkylene is closer from at least one of polyethyleneglycol 400, and polyethylene glycol
 3350. 5. The composition of claim 1wherein the polyalkylene glycol comprises polyethylene glycol. 6-7.(canceled)
 8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the copolymercomprises a blend of divalent calcium salt and monovalent sodium saltwherein the concentration of calcium is between about 10 and 15 wt. %,the concentration of sodium is between about 1.5 and 4 wt. %, and thefree acid is between about 9 and 25 wt. %.
 9. The composition of claim1, wherein the copolymer is methyl vinyl ether/maleic acid and theconcentration of calcium is between about 11 and 13 wt. %, theconcentration of sodium is between about 2 and 2.5 wt. %, the ratio ofCa:Na is about 5-6.1, and the molecular weight of the copolymer is about65,000-70,000.
 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the compositioncomprises at least 90% of said lidocaine or a salt thereof based on theamount of said lidocaine or salt thereof within the composition at thetime of manufacture after 14 months storage at 25° C. and 60% relativehumidity.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The composition of claim 2, wherein thecomposition comprises at least 0.09 wt. % triamcinolone acetonide and atleast 1.8 wt. % lidocaine or a salt thereof or lidocaine hydrochlorideafter 18 months.
 13. The composition of claim 1, wherein the compositioncomprises at least 90% of said triamcino lone acetonide based on theamount of said triamcinolone acetonide within the composition at thetime of manufacture after 24 months storage at 25° C. and 60% relativehumidity. 14-18. (canceled)
 19. The composition of claim 1, wherein thecomposition comprises no more than about 10% of compounds having theformulae I, II, and III based upon the amount of said triamcinoloneacetonide within the composition at the time of manufacture after 18months storage at 25° C. and 60% relative humidity.
 20. The compositionof claim 2, wherein the composition comprises no more than 0.01 wt. % ofthe compounds of formulae I, II, and III after 18 months. 21-26.(canceled)
 27. The composition of claim 1, wherein the compositioncomprises at least 90% of said lidocaine or a salt thereof based on theamount of said lidocaine or salt thereof within the composition at thetime of manufacture after 6 months storage at 40° C. and 75% relativehumidity.
 28. The composition of claim 1, wherein the compositioncomprises at least 90% of said triamcinolone acetonide based on theamount of said triamcinolone acetonide within the composition at thetime of manufacture after 8 months accelerated stability storage at 40°C. and 75% relative humidity.
 29. (canceled)
 30. The composition ofclaim 1, wherein the composition comprises no more than about 10% of thecompounds having the formulae I, II, and III based upon the amount ofsaid triamcinolone acetonide within the composition at the time ofmanufacture after 8 months accelerated stability storage at 40° C. and75% relative humidity. 31-32. (canceled)
 33. The composition of claim 3,wherein the composition comprises about 0.01 to about 0.3 wt. %triamcinolone acetonide. 34-35. (canceled)
 36. The composition of claim1, wherein the lidocaine is in the form of lidocaine hydrochloride. 37.The composition of claim 2 consisting essentially of a base material,about 0.1 wt. % triamcinolone acetonide, and about 2 wt. % lidocainehydrochloride, the base material comprising from about 3 to 15 wt. % ofa water soluble salt of a copolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether andmaleic acid or anhydride and from about 85 to 97 wt. % of polyethyleneglycol.
 38. The composition of claim 2 consisting essentially of a basematerial, about 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide, about 2 wt. % lidocainehydrochloride, about 0.2 wt. % methylparaben, and about 0.02 wt. %propylparaben measured by weight, the base material comprising fromabout 3 to 15 wt. % of a water soluble salt of a copolymer of a loweralkyl vinyl ether and maleic acid or anhydride and from about 85 to 97wt. % of polyethylene glycol. 39-43. (canceled)
 44. The composition ofclaim 3 comprising about 52.6 wt. % polyethylene glycol 400, about 39.0wt. % polyethylene glycol 3350, about 6.0 wt. % water soluble salt of acopolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic acid or anhydride,about 2 wt. % lidocaine hydrochloride, about 0.1 wt. % triamcinoloneacetonide, about 0.2 wt. % methylparaben, and about 0.02 wt. %propylparaben. 45-58. (canceled)
 59. The composition of claim 2, whereinthe copolymer comprises a blend of divalent calcium salt and monovalentsodium salt wherein the concentration of calcium is between about 10 and15 wt. %, the concentration of sodium is between about 1.5 and 4 wt. %,and the free acid is between about 9 and 25 wt. %.
 60. The compositionof claim 2, wherein the copolymer is methyl vinyl ether/maleic acid andthe concentration of calcium is between about 11 and 13 wt. %, theconcentration of sodium is between about 2 and 2.5 wt. %, the ratio ofCa:Na is about 5-6.1, and the molecular weight of the copolymer is about65,000-70,000.
 61. The composition of claim 3, wherein the compositioncomprises at least 90% of said lidocaine or a salt thereof based on theamount of said lidocaine or salt thereof within the composition at thetime of manufacture after 14 months storage at 25° C. and 60% relativehumidity.
 62. The composition of claim 3, wherein the compositioncomprises at least 90% of said triamcinolone acetonide based on theamount of said triamcinolone acetonide within the composition at thetime of manufacture after 24 months storage at 25° C. and 60% relativehumidity.
 63. The composition of claim 3, wherein the compositioncomprises at least 90% of said lidocaine or a salt thereof based on theamount of said lidocaine or salt thereof within the composition at thetime of manufacture after 6 months storage at 40° C. and 75% relativehumidity.
 64. The composition of claim 3, wherein the compositioncomprises at least 90% of said triamcinolone acetonide based on theamount of said triamcinolone acetonide within the composition at thetime of manufacture after 8 months accelerated stability storage at 40°C. and 75% relative humidity.
 64. The composition of claim 2, whereinthe lidocaine is in the form of lidocaine hydrochloride.